Connecticut western news., 1887-02-23
THE DUELLISTS.
BY PETER DONOVAN.

BY PETER DONOVAN.
 One evening in the winter of 17S9 tho elite of Parisian society scintillated at the bal masque given by the Marquis De larobe at his palace in the Rue de Pro- vence. The cream of the proud French aristocracy, the hereditary oppressors of the people, thronged the ball room in their dazzling costumes. And one to see such kaleidoscope array for beauty and chivalry, so volatile and gay, would not think that a terrible Nemesis in the form of an outraged populace was even then drawing near, and would, ere long. with one Titanic blow, decapitate the hydra-headed monster that so long lived on their substance.
 When the mad revel was at its height, lissome creature, with the step of a ga- zelle, attired as Grecian shepherdess, moved gracefully about, and with Cir cean magnetism, became the exposure of all eyes. A dashing young officer wear ing the uniform of a lieutenant, ap- preached, and lowing deferentially, said:
 ''Will the fair pastoral goddess favor me with dance2'
 'Monsieur must pardon mo if refuse, as am already fatigued from dancing, i" she answered, in a voice which bespoke unaffected ingenuiousness.
 "But, madam" he persisted, q may at least have the pleasure of escorting you to seat"
 ''If monsieur insists suppose have nothing to do but comply" she an swered with charming naiustte, and ac- cepted his proffered arm.
 He led the way to cushioned alcove and, with the air of Bayard, begged per. mission to finger if only for few mo. ments. An almost imperceptible move. ment of the head, given to denote as sent, sufficed to loosen her mask, whict fell to the floor, revealing face of dag zling beauty. Her eyes were as dark a. night, and, in the language of the poet
 "might have changed the fate of an em pire." Her brow and lips would hay, afforded ample scope for the honeyet phrases of an Ovid. The exquisite sym metry of her frame shone to advantag in her unique costume.
 The eyes of the young man feasted ol the lovely vision for brief period, an, then, removing his mask, he exclaimed
 "Since a generous fate has revealed you lovely features, it is only just that
 should also reveal mine."
 The young girl toyed with tn
 mask for a moment as if delib
 erating how to act. Then liftin
 her eyes she gazed at the young man i
 diffident sort of way and said in low
 musical voice:
 .'If mistake not, monsieur is of tn
 house of Chandos2"
 'I cannot claim such distinction,
 hastily answered her auditor with
 slight shade of melancholy in his voic'
 'T am only poor soldier of fortune whose sword is his only legacy" ''Then, how dare you talk to daugl ter of General the Count d'Arnot2" il
 terrupted Q gruff voice, and the youthf
 twain turning quickly beheld Q tall ma ! dressed as Sicilian brigand. He hel 3 in his hand the mask that he had to, . from his face and his eye shone omil 3 ously as he gazed or rather scowled
 the young lieutenant. , 'Monseur le Comte, the young m : has acted with singular delicacy al B gentleness toward me, and think yo : words demand an apology" spirited 8 interposed the object of dispute, arisil g and standing between the two men. 'The Count de Landon owes no apt 7 ogy to a churl," was the fierce al f naughty rejoinder.
 , The young lieutenant, stung to ma d ness by his taunt, advanced and deli O erately spat in the fa e of the naughty nobleman. T = count sprang backward with the agil }, of an athlete, at the same time drawi le his sword. The young girl grasped 8, nobleman by the sword arm and begg of him 10 forbear. Nothing dauntt y the lieutenant stood like Launcel i'd with poised blade, awaiting the onset. of 'Low born wretch, were it not ba ''Save your breath, count, you'll nc ne it all in the morning, in the gardens to the Luxembourg, at eight, any weap' '. you choose. Adieu, madam, l am v
 =, x.1 exS, x14. ~ns,ea nf Ah3a Alatensal